Today’s Topic: Why Quilting Thread Matters
Welcome to Week Twelve of The Better Machine Quilt-a-long based on my book 25 Days to Better Machine Quilting.
Find all of the previous Lessons HERE.
Sign up for emails of the class HERE.
Good Morning, Quilters!
I am running a little late this week…a happy, busy weekend with family! In Minnesota, we can’t take warm summer days for granted…
Quilting Thread Matters
After this week you will either thank me or curse me.
You may thank me because thread can make YOUR quilting look instantly better.
Or you may curse me because, after this week YOU will be a thread snob and your quilting budget will never be the same!
Desired Quilt Look
Every time you quilt you should decide whether you want to create texture motifs or focal motifs. (Many quilts contain both.)
Texture motifs combine the three layers of the quilt together and take a backseat to the quilt top design. They do their job without calling any attention to themselves. Stippling (though not MY favorite) is one of the most common motifs for creating texture. (Try Flower Power instead of stippling–it’s easier and prettier!)
Focal motifs are designs that do the job of holding the layers of the quilt together AND add a design element. They call out to be noticed. Motifs like flowers and leaves and pictorial patterns are common focal motifs. Focal motifs fill solid quilt blocks and negative spaces within a quilt while adding more interest to the overall quilt design.
Choose Thread After Considering Desired Look
Once you’ve decided if the motif will be texture or focal, then choose the correct thread.
Texture Motifs-Choose a lightweight (fine) thread (50, 70, 80, 100wt) in a matching color.
Focal Motifs-Choose a heavy weight thread (50, 40, 30, 28 wt) in a contrasting color.
Consider Sheen
One other property of thread to consider is sheen, or the degree to which the thread reflects light. The choice of sheen is subjective (I tend to LOVE shiny things-so I usually prefer high sheen threads–but not always!)
Some quilts look better with low sheen threads, some with high-sheen threads, or my favorite–a combination of both to create even more interest!
Inspection Method
Reading thread labels is almost impossible. Every manufacturer has it’s own coding system and the codes are not consistent between companies. For example, 30 wt thread from one manufacturer may look more like a 50 wt thread from another.
I think it is best to rely on on an inspection method.
Choose a “Control” Thread
First, choose a thread that you use frequently. This will be your “control” thread. (I like to use Aurifil 50 wt cotton as my standard because it is mid weight and mid sheen.)
On a dark piece of paper or fabric, spool out several inches of your and inspect it closely.
Check the following characteristics:
Thickness (weight)
Sheen (light reflection)
Fuzzy or not fuzzy (staple length)
Snap test (tensile strength) (Hold a 3-4inch length between your hands and see how much force it requires to break) (Don’t worry if it breaks easily–just start getting a feel for different threads.)
Compare
Next, pick up another spool of thread and compare it to the first thread.
Is it heavier, lighter, or the same?
Compare the sheen as well. What is the reflective quality of the thread relative to your control thread.
Is the new thread fuzzier or less fuzzy than the control thread.
Try a snap test.
Today’s Homework
Today’s homework does not involve any quilting.
Gather a variety of threads from your collection for inspection. Compare them to Aurifil 50 wt cotton or YOUR control thread.
If you are working with friends, look at some of their threads as well.
Take notes and make groupings based on three weight classes: light, medium and heavy.
Why I Prefer the Inspection Method
Every time you begin sewing or quilting, take a few seconds to inspect the thread for weight, sheen, fuzziness and strength. After a short period of time, you will have a much clearer understanding of thread. You will not need to decipher every manufacturer’s code, nor will you be at a loss when a thread label falls off.
Doodle Homework
Later this week we will begin stitching a thread sampler. Choose a new motif to use and begin doodling.
A few of my favorites are The Spool,
(page 119 of More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3)
The Sewing Scissors
(page 114 of More Free Motion Machine Quilting 1-2-3)
or Hugh-o-suarus -the new Dinosaur motif created for BERNINA We All Sew blog.
More All Week!
We will continue this thread all week including, how to organize thread, tips for using variegated thread, best bobbin threads, common thread mistakes and more!!!
Your Thread Examiner, (not to be confused with a head examiner….)
Lori
PS…All tutorials, images and information are the property of Lori Kennedy Quilts and are intended for personal use only. Feel free to re-blog, pin or share with attribution to LKQ. For all other purposes, please contact me at Lori@LoriKennedyQuilts.com. Thank you!
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28 comments
Kathryn Diamond
I have inherited a box of very beautiful acrylic thread that is made by Janome. It has a beautiful sheen. Says Embroidery. Would like to use it up. Any drawbacks?
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Give it a go! Make a few samples and see what you think! Though when you say it has beautiful sheen–it makes me think it may be polyester or rayon. Acrylic, to my knowledge, is not known for it’s sheen….but I could be wrong. Please check and let me know!
Jill Katzung
Beautiful family, abundant blessings! I love this QAL!! I am learning SO much!! I think I’ve always felt a bit overwhelmed by the array of threads, not understanding the basis for the variety. But there is quite a bit of science to threads so that is helping to demystify it. Who knew I had such an eclectic assortment of threads?! Now I can make order of the chaos! I am so excited to make the thread sampler! Thank you, Lori!!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I love the idea of making order from thread chaos! Little by little we learn and grow!
Glenda Stanton
The info about thread weight not being standard across manufacturers is mind blowing!! All this time, I thought it was my imagination that all 50 weight thread was not the same. Thanks for the tip to examine and compare. And then the tip to use different weights for different purposes. Amazing! Thank you for sharing all of this information to help us improve our quilting. The QAL is fantastic.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
You’ve been doing the “inspection” method–but not giving yourself enough credit!!!LOL
Bobbie Elder
What a beautiful family! You are blessed indeed! Lori, please address the invisible threads like Invisifil, monofilament, nylon, and polyester for quilting. Also, I have a wool appliqué on flannel quilt that needs to be quilted. Can you suggest a thread for that? Thank you so much for this instruction! You are so appreciated!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I think you should try a heavy weight, natural fiber. Aurifil has a nice wool/acrylic with lots of texture–use a large needle, 100 or 110 and stitch slowly. Another nice option would be King Tut cotton from Superior. It’s heavy, with a nice sheen–lovely to work with!
denveremerson1
Nice looking family, Lori!!
Lori Kennedy Quilts
They wash up real nice, don’t they–but it doesn’t last long…LOL!
bumblebeebarb
Beautiful family photo-love your youngest grandson making it an action shot!
I’m going to start comparing my threads, although most are the sme brand and weight. When I can I’ll buy some other weights! That dinosaur is so cute, going to practice that one! Loving this series of classes.
I’m looking forward to your virtual class at the Great Wisconsin Quilt Show. Learned so much at last years, but alas no photo op!!
Happy D;oodling!
Barb
Lori Kennedy Quilts
It’s going to be really fun!–though not as fun as in person classes!
Suzanne
I feel like an idiot, I know about different thread weights but not that some are better for motifs and others are better for texture. Still, it’s never too late to learn, right? Thanks Lori.
I’ve never used rayon thread and I use polyester only now and then, as most of my quilts are for babies. My church quilting group makes them as gifts from the church to parents of newly baptized little ones, and we are required to use 100% cotton only. Not that we anticipate it but as you know synthetics melt when heated, and in a fire situation – well, it’s too horrible to even think about. So we use all-cotton fabric, thread and batting – always. Enough said about that. As a result, most of the thread I have is cotton.
So where thread is concerned, in your opinion, which is the strongest and best to use for quilts: cotton, rayon or polyester? I’d very much appreciate your thoughts on this.
Thank you again.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Polyester is considered the strongest fiber, followed by cotton and then Rayon. For free motion quilting, all of these fibers are suitable. I would not use Rayon for construction. I use all three fibers for machine quilting!
Suzie Trail
I wish someone would put together a “sample pack” of the different weights. Not much choice in my town.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I agree. I’ve considered it…but what color/colors?
BoxySweaterGal
I got a sample of the smaller standard spools of aurifil from my LQS when I attended their quarter class preview back in early February. Cotton 12, 28, 40, 50 and 80, Wool 12 and cotton floss. All were in an unexciting beige but for weight comparison, the color doesn’t really matter. I plan to use all of them except the floss on my thread sampler.
Diane Obernesser
I’m already a thread snob. I like Aurifil a lot. Use Floriani for embroidery & have a lot of Sulky embroidery thread I need to get rid of. Running out of room both for thread & fabric & & &( you get the picture).
Lori Kennedy Quilts
Yes–I can visualize it exactly!
rwstas1971
Lori, I need your help/suggestion. I am preparing to quilt a customer quilt LA. The quilt is probably 50 yrs old and is in excellent condition. The customer is wanting an antique look with little quilting. There are 5 17″ blocks with hand embroidery. I am planning to create a frame each. My question to you what thread do you suggest or would you use. There are a lot of triangles in this quilt. In advance thank you. Theresa Scarborough
Lori Kennedy Quilts
First of all, creating samples is very important–especially for a project like this! “Antique look” shouts cotton to me–not too much sheen and a natural fiber. On the other hand, I’ve used Rayon on a similar-sounding project and it turned out beautifully. The sheen was really pretty and set off the hand embroidery nicely. (I used a neutral color that matched the background fabric.)
I love King Tut cotton, Aurifil cotton, and Sulky Rayon. I would make samples of these three threads. Please let me know what you decide!
Karen
Thank You, once again! I’m learning something from every tutorial!
Lynn B
I am going to enjoy this section. There are many threads I don’t use because I have no access to actually touch them or I am uncertain about the content( polyester, rayon, shiney, slinkey stuff) and when I have tried some of the more decorative ones I have had major battles trying to find the right needle style and size to make it knit correctly. That could be a whole book on its own for me!
Janet Tarasovic
This was so helpful, thank you as always for your generous sharing. I ordered a lot of 40 wt rayon that I’ve been using on my work here. it’s pretty but quite thin. What are your thoughts on rayon?
Also, I hope you’ll be discussing stitch regulators soon. I’m getting better with my Bernina, and it’s the reason I bought an expensive machine, but I’m not convinced it’s all it’s supposed to be.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I love Rayon! Great sheen, great colors and great price!
Oh yes, stitch regulators….
Is there anything specific you would like more info on stitch regulators???
Brenda Sierdsma
Though rayon thread selections are beautiful, I was advised by a sewing machine dealer to reserve using rayon as a quilting thread for small wall hangings or quilts that would not be washed or washed very infrequently.
Thank you, Lori, for this helpful and informative post. I appreciate and enjoy all you share.
Lori Kennedy Quilts
I have used Rayon threads for years, but on quilts that are washed infrequently. I love using them. Polyester and cotton are stronger, but it’s not clear to me how strong quilting thread needs to be as it sits on top of the quilt and isn’t part of the construction.
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